Thursday, December 10, 2009

On the way out, in Hong Kong airport, two mainland Chinese cut in front of me (and many other people) in the immigration line. You know, the arrival line that has miles of roped areas to form a perfect, snaking line.

I let the first youngster do this, but next it was Grandma. Then I spoke up and told them off.

"Don't cut in line. This is an international airport and everyone has to stand in line. Please don't let the Chinese people lose face like this."

They were suitably embarrassed and I hope the HK airport staff figure out that this is really their job, not some job for slightly-buzzed good Samaritans to be doing.

So, guess what happens when I arrive back at Taipei airport?

Sure enough, again two Chinese cut in front of me. (Why do they try this in pairs?)

I did an encore performance. (Maybe did not mention the losing of Chinese face this time - that is a pretty harsh thing to drop - I am sure those folks had nightmare where Confucius, Mao, andHu Jin-Tao visit them as the Ghosts of Chinese Face.)

The Taiwanese hall monitor then stepped up and corralled the Chinese mustangs back to the rear of the line.

I encourage everyone to speak up and stop this sort of activity whenever you see it. The airport in Taipei was packed to the gills with Chinese tourists and so was Hong Kong. Best to nip this in the bud before you are fighting for your place in line with half of Guangzhou.

Also, its fun to watch them freak out when someone calls them on their line-cutting. These people can afford the plane ticket - they ain't peasants who just fell off the cabbage wagon.